"A restaurant without any decent beer choices ... "

I was thinking in terms of specific places I would or wouldn't go to based on draft beer selection.

Cafe Lou Lou, Za's, Boombozz, River City Drafthouse... are all places I frequent in largely due to their beer. Za's has a strong list of bottled beer in addition to a couple good on tap.

Sushi--I can't walk to Maido, so that's out
I much prefer Oishii to DKD, and DKD does have decent beer options.

Tres $$$$--You guys make a good point that high-end places should have an excellent beer list at this point. Still, I go to those places--say Jack Fry's or 610 Magnolia--only on special occasions and beer selection wouldn't affect my decision.

Asian and Mexican were also mentioned as exceptions. At Mexican places, I am content to grab a Bohemia or Dos Equis believe it or not. Asian places I like tend to be fairly simple restaurants like Annie Cafe and La Que. I don't think draft beer is much of a priority for them.

But, as Rob says, I think any place would be doing themselves a favor to up their beer list.

I would agree with some of the opinions. Asian and Mexican places get a pass for some reason.

Why nicer restaurants havent caught on baffles me. Even good beer is cheap compared to wine and spirits. A very expensive case of beer or 1/6 barrel is under 150. You could have 6 taps and 10 bottle offerings and make most every craft beer person happy. Add the main macros in bud, BL, miller lite and coors light. Throw in a Heineken for those who think beer should taste skunky. Add stella because AB has fooled the masses into thinking that is a true belgian beer.

I promise no one will ever leave nor knock a restaurant with great food because they did not offer bud light et al but I will think twice about revisiting a place with no craft/micro beer offerings.

This whole conversation is crazy to me. I just wouldn't ever let a restaurant's beer selection be a factor in whether I eat there or not. It also seems obvious to me that most restaurants carry the same mainstream beers because they are recognized by the masses and well... they sell. I can understand the lack of desire to stock some little-known, overpriced craft beer that might or might not sell.

You could have 6 taps and 10 bottle offerings and make most every craft beer person happy.

Correct.

One does not need twenty taps and 100 different bottles to have a good list, just as they don't need both bud light and miller lite. For those contemplating a start-up and would like help developing a smart beer program, contact me. I know a guy.

This whole conversation is crazy to me. I just wouldn't ever let a restaurant's beer selection be a factor in whether I eat there or not. It also seems obvious to me that most restaurants carry the same mainstream beers because they are recognized by the masses and well... they sell. I can understand the lack of desire to stock some little-known, overpriced craft beer that might or might not sell.

Gary, it's okay if the thought strikes you as crazy, but at the same time, try not to fall into the worldview as practiced by most politicians in my town ("I cannot imagine it; therefore, it does not exist").

Specifically, given the number of debates here about how wine should be priced, I must contest your use of "overpriced" as contrasted with beers "recognized by the masses." If beer wouldn't ever be a factor in your decision to dine, then you might not be sufficiently fluent in beer to make price judgments. Speaking for myself, I'll pay good money for the right beer paired with the right food, but that $10 glass of wine? THAT's overpriced, LOL.

Another thing to consider, also paralleling the experience of wine pricing: Sell a $2 bottle of Bud and make a buck. Sell a $5 draft Elector ... and make more. 'Nuff said, but the point to me remains that there are so many styles of beer, pairing possibilities are exponential -- especially with ethnic food.

. 'Nuff said, but the point to me remains that there are so many styles of beer, pairing possibilities are exponential -- especially with ethnic food.

This.

I mentioned Thai above and I was specifically thinking of one place, but I wasnt going to call them out, but I think it can only do good.

Simply Thai 2 is walking distance from my house. They have 4 taps...and you can do a lot with just 4 taps (look at Come Back Inn, for example). What has Simply Thai 2 done?

Some interchangeable asian lager.
Stella
Sam Adams Boston Lager
Blue Moon.

Its better than a collection of Bud and Bud light products, but its so...boring. Where are the hops? Im going to spice up my basil chicken, I need some hops to counterbalance it.

Im not sure what the purpose of the Stella is on there. The Asian lager makes much more sense and completely fills the fizzy yellow lager category. Replace the Stella with a pale ale or IPA and it gives some variety to the choices that makes the pairings work. Blue Moon, while not the wit I would choose, will handle seafood well, so its a reasonable choice.

I cant say for sure that I would eat there more often if they had something hoppy on tap, but I can guarantee my average bill would go up.

Just like every asian place should have at least one hoppy beer available, every pizza place should have a smoked beer option. Im not a fan, but to those who are, meat pizzas and smoked beers fit perfectly.

I mentioned Thai above and I was specifically thinking of one place, but I wasnt going to call them out, but I think it can only do good.

Simply Thai 2 is walking distance from my house. They have 4 taps...and you can do a lot with just 4 taps (look at Come Back Inn, for example). What has Simply Thai 2 done?

Some interchangeable asian lager.
Stella
Sam Adams Boston Lager
Blue Moon.

Simply Thai "1" has Hoptimus and Elector bombers, I'd guess "2" would have the same.

I mentioned Thai above and I was specifically thinking of one place, but I wasnt going to call them out, but I think it can only do good.

Simply Thai 2 is walking distance from my house. They have 4 taps...and you can do a lot with just 4 taps (look at Come Back Inn, for example). What has Simply Thai 2 done?

Some interchangeable asian lager.
Stella
Sam Adams Boston Lager
Blue Moon.

Simply Thai "1" has Hoptimus and Elector bombers, I'd guess "2" would have the same.

They arent listed anywhere I have seen, but I will check next time Im in. And, no offense to Roger and Dave, bombers have to be the least useful form of beer delivery ever invented. Also, both are available in keg form, either would be a good choice to replace that Stella tap.

One does not need twenty taps and 100 different bottles to have a good list,

I would argue that in most cases, that would be counterproductive, in fact. Far too many places have 20 taps and cant turn them over fast enough. Much better to have 6 taps that are fresh than 20 taps and have half of them stale.

Of course, places that can turn 20 taps regularly, thats even better!

And, no offense to Roger and Dave, bombers have to be the least useful form of beer delivery ever invented.

A bomber is a share bottle, much like a 750ml., and perfect for on premise placement.

A bomber is a share bottle

Now that is funny.

Sharing?

A bomber is a share bottle

Now that is funny.

Sharing?

They've always been a single portion bottle for me, but then again, I am a trained professional.

It also seems obvious to me that most restaurants carry the same mainstream beers because they are recognized by the masses and well... they sell. I can understand the lack of desire to stock some little-known, overpriced craft beer that might or might not sell.

Yes, Im sure this whole craft beer movement is simply the stuff of imagination, probably not really selling at all.

I personally refuse to dine at restaurants that wont serve a good artisan beer. Its like asking for the wine list and being given a listing of wine coolers. If the owner cant manage to get beyond Bud or Bud Light I will dine elsewhere, as there are lots of places in town that do carry excellent selections.

It also seems obvious to me that most restaurants carry the same mainstream beers because they are recognized by the masses and well... they sell. I can understand the lack of desire to stock some little-known, overpriced craft beer that might or might not sell.

Yes, Im sure this whole craft beer movement is simply the stuff of imagination, probably not really selling at all.

I personally refuse to dine at restaurants that wont serve a good artisan beer. Its like asking for the wine list and being given a listing of wine coolers. If the owner cant manage to get beyond Bud or Bud Light I will dine elsewhere, as there are lots of places in town that do carry excellent selections.

Craft beer "movement". Kind of like a bowel movement only with pretension.

Craft beer "movement". Kind of like a bowel movement only with pretension.